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Fiona Govan, on a quest to find the best breakfast spot in Madrid discovered that there’s more to Spanish food than tostada or tortilla con tomate.
In the past, breakfast in Spain was little more that a coffee with a glass of orange juice or a croissant glazed in sugar. The brunch has become a huge business in Madrid, with lines forming at the weekends outside the most popular places.
If you’re looking to treat yourself to a brunch to celebrate a special event or catch up with your friends in the Sex in the City-style weekend meetup, I have some great suggestions.
Carmencita
The first place to offer a real American brunch in Madrid. Carmencita Calle Vicente Ferrer was a fast favourite of Auxiliares when it first opened its doors in 2010. Now with four branches across Madrid (Two in Malasaña and one each in La Latina and Lavapies), it’s hands down the best place to get an eggs Benedict – choose whether it comes with avocado, salmon or crispy bacon, slathered in a creamy hollandaise sauce and with a side of fries or hash browns.
The brunch deal (from €18.50) comes with coffee, mimosa or fresh orange juice and includes dessert. The carrot cake is my favorite. Weekends are usually very busy, so book in advance to avoid disappointment.
Alma Nomad
It is important to note that the word “you” means “you”.Alma Nomad Fabrica A bakery can be a place to visit in and of itself. Joaquim & Timi, the modern alchemists in the baking world, have created a welcoming space behind an orange-colored door on Calle Urquiza. This place is well worth the trip outside of the M-30 for true pastry lovers. You can watch the magic happening from a window table.
Enjoy sourdough bread, cinnamon rolls with oozing frosting and flaky pistachio pastries, as well as a pomme tarte-tatin that is to die for. You may need to queue outside to get a seat because they don’t accept reservations. Pastries from €2.95.
Federal Cafe
The Australian couple Tommy and Crick behind Federal Café They are the first to introduce the Flat White in Madrid. Their original café can be found in Conde Duque, and there aren’t many better places to spend Sunday mornings than their terrace at the corner of Plaza Comendadores.
Here you can find healthy options like Lizzie’s muesli with poached apple and saffron (€6.80) Chia pudding coconut milk filled with banana and a scattering of hemp seeds (€7.90) or a nutrition-packed Açaí bowl (€9). There’s also pancakes, sandwiches with the sort of fillings that are rare to find in Spain – like pastrami – or the Magrebi dish baked eggs with shakshuka (€12).
The Palace Hotel
Head to the legendary Palace Hotel for a buffet breakfast (served between 7am and 11am and open to non-guests for €35). Enjoy the buffet breakfast while served by staff dressed in white linen. Start with a bowl of Bercher yogurt and a selection of seasonal fresh fruits, before making your way through the savory options which include the elements required for a full English (Including baked beans) as well as American style pancakes, waffles and maple syrup and lest you forget you are in one of the prestigious hotels in Spain – a dedicated ham cutter to provide melt-in-the-mouth slices of jamon iberico.
Breakfast under the Belle Epoque stained glass dome in this hotel that has hosted stars such as Michael Jackson, Madonna, and the Rolling Stones.
It’s a great place to fuel up before a day spent touring the galleries of the Museo del Prado, the Reina Sofía or the Thyssen-Bornemisza which are all within easy walking distance.
Chocolate con churros
At the other end of the scale and if you want something more traditionally Madrileño for a morning snack, then seek out one of the capital’s churrerias for a cup of hot chocolate and a plate of churros. If you’re looking for the most authentic experience, head to an old-fashioned kiosk or hole in the walls.
La Churrería Santa Ana has been serving Rastro goers since 1898, it’s only open mornings and only for takeaway. For just €2.90 you can sit at a table with a serving of churros or porras and a cup of thick chocolate to dunk them into at La Antigua (Calle Apodaca, 11 in Chueca) or pass by the kiosk in Plaza Manuel Bercera and you’ll be met by the tempting aroma of fresh churros as they sizzle in a vat of hot oil.
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